By Stephen Vaccaro, President, HHAeXchange
LinkedIn:Â Stephen Vaccaro
LinkedIn:Â HHAeXchange
As more adults live longer and choose to age in place, the demand for homecare across the U.S. continues to climb. This shift has provided an opportunity for homecare providers to expand their reach and establish themselves as pillars of the modern healthcare system. To maintain this momentum, agency leaders are taking steps to ensure their daily operations remain reliable, efficient, and resilient.
Addressing the current labor shortage is one priority for homecare leaders, 25% of referrals are being turned away due to staffing shortages, and 52% of homecare providers are considering further program cuts, up from 34% just two years ago. These shortages and potential reductions also impact caregivers, leading to staff turnover, which recently reached 75%.
Changes to federal Medicaid funding also directly affect homecare delivery. Because home- and community-based services (HCBS) rely on optional waivers, they are vulnerable to budget cuts, unlike mandatory Medicaid programs such as nursing homes. Some states will be unable to absorb the additional cost of homecare, resulting in reduced services and lower provider reimbursement rates. Recent legislation approved in Idaho is one example of how budget fluctuations impact homecare.
The combined pressures of workforce shortages and Medicaid funding uncertainty will require homecare leaders to strengthen routine operations that ensure visits are properly staffed, documented, invoiced, and reimbursed correctly. These challenges are not unfamiliar to the HCBS industry, but acknowledging them is not the same as addressing them. Implementing and fully leveraging practical, deliberate technology solutions can help providers maintain quality care, support their office teams and caregivers, and secure long-term business health.
Realizing the Full Value of Healthcare Technology
Technology has changed homecare in many ways, from supporting patient care to bringing more efficiency to daily operations. However, many homecare providers are not using their technology solutions to their fullest potential. Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) is one area where that gap is especially clear.
EVV is often treated as a back-office requirement to check a compliance box or submit a claim. While these functions remain critical, they represent only a part of its value. When used across daily operations, EVV gives agencies more complete information on visit documentation, schedules, and authorizations, helping teams reduce manual work, limit errors, and bring more consistency to everyday workflows.
That consistency becomes especially important as agencies navigate tighter budgets, reimbursement pressure, and increased oversight. With centralized visit data, agencies can manage claims, reimbursement, and caregiver payroll with greater accuracy and fewer delays. A single record of the visit time, location, and authorized service also makes it easier to verify that clients receive care when and where they need it.
Using Technology to Strengthen Operations and Support Caregivers
When used with a clear purpose, technology like EVV can help caregivers work more effectively while keeping care at the center. The right software provides accurate, up-to-date care records, a consistent method for recording assessments, simplified scheduling, and quick access to authorization information.
Acceptance depends on whether caregivers understand how these tools support their daily work. When technology reduces administrative friction, improves communication with office teams, and gives caregivers more time and clarity at the point of care, it becomes easier to view it as a resource rather than another requirement. For caregivers, that value can show up in several areas, including:
- Less Busy Work: Caregiver fatigue is a significant challenge across the industry, with 42% reporting they feel constantly or often overwhelmed by administrative tasks. While solutions like EVV reduce the paperwork burden, success depends on how agencies implement them. Caregivers need clear explanations of why a tool was selected and training on how to use it effectively. When done right, technology shifts from a perceived burden to a valued support system, allowing caregivers to focus on care delivery rather than documentation.
- Improving Billing and Payroll: Because Medicaid-financed homecare visits require electronic verification, visit data must clearly reflect the caregiver, client, care plan, and service duration. When that information flows into payroll, it can reduce manual follow-up and discrepancies, helping caregivers receive accurate payment for the time and services recorded.
- Supporting Career Development: EVV data protects caregivers by confirming they delivered care as planned. Agencies can use this data to recognize strong performance or identify opportunities for specialized training. Additionally, communication tools add another layer of support by giving caregivers a quick, reliable way to ask questions, share field notes, and receive guidance from the office team.
Technology strengthens homecare operations, but it only works when teams understand its purpose and use it consistently. As providers navigate workforce shortages, reimbursement pressure, and evolving compliance demands, these systems should not be viewed as another requirement for caregivers or a back-office task for agencies. When connected to daily operations, they can become the backbone of a more resilient homecare model, helping agencies manage visits, strengthen the caregiver experience, protect financial stability, and continue delivering high-quality care at home.